Breadcrumb

IDNR November Newsbits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACTS:

Chris McCloud

217-785-0075

Stacey Solano

217-558-0994

IDNR November Newsbits

Free ï¿½Green Fireï¿½ Screening at UIS: The IDNR and the University of Illinois Springfield on Tues., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. will host a free screening of the first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold and his environmental legacy. See the film at the UIS Brookens Auditorium. 'Green Fire' shares highlights from Leopoldï¿½s extraordinary career, explaining how he shaped conservation and the modern environmental movement. Executive Producer Buddy Huffaker will introduce the film and field questions. The 'Green Fire' screening will be preceded by an Environmental Fair hosted by the UIS Department of Environmental Studies from 5:30-7 p.m. For more information: www.greenfiremovie.com

Collector Day: The Illinois State Museum in Springfield will present the annual Collectorï¿½s Day on Sat., Nov. 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Collectors from across Central Illinois will display their treasures at the museum and answer questions from visitors. This yearï¿½s displays will include meteorites, antique cameras and tools, model houses and trains, bonsai, and more. The event is free and open to the public. No buying, selling, or appraisals will be allowed. The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring Street, Springfield. For more information, phone 217/782-0061.

Firearm Deer Permits: Remaining Illinois firearm deer permits are available over-the-counter from DNR Direct license and permit vendors through Dec. 11 or until quotas are exhausted. Find a vendor near you at this link: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/LicensePermitVendors.aspx

Late-Winter and CWD Deer Special Hunt Area Applications: Hunters may apply online through Nov. 28 for site-specific permits for designated IDNR Special Hunt Areas for the Late-Winter Firearm and CWD Deer Hunts. The online application system is available through the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov. A list of Special Hunt Areas open only to hunters with site-specific Late-Winter and CWD season permits is available at this link: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer/Pages/ResidentLateWinterAntlerlessDeerHunting.aspx Permits for these sites are limited and are only available through the online application until Nov. 28 (paper applications are not available). Hunters may submit only one online Special Hunt Area application. Unfilled 2011 site-specific firearm, muzzleloader or youth permits for these sites are not valid during the Late-Winter Firearm and CWD Deer season, except at sites where standby hunting is available.

Late-Winter and CWD Deer County Permits: 2011-2012 Late-Winter Firearm Antlerless-only Deer county permits will be available over the counter (OTC) through DNR Direct license and permit vendors beginning on Tues., Dec. 13. County permits for the CWD Deer Season will also be available OTC beginning on Dec. 13. The dates for the seven-day Late-Winter and CWD deer seasons are Dec. 29, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012 and Jan. 13-15, 2012.

CWD Sampling Reminder: Deer hunters statewide are encouraged to allow samples to be taken for chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling from adult deer they harvest. The following locations are serving as CWD sampling stations, taking samples from entire deer or deer heads thru Jan. 15, 2012: County Location Hours

Test results will be posted by hunter phone number on the IDNR web site at: http://dnr.state.il.us/cwd/

Register Now For Youth Goose Hunt: Registration is open for the 12th annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt sponsored by the IDNR on Dec. 26-27 at private waterfowl hunting clubs in Peoria, Fulton and Knox counties. Those interested in the youth hunt must phone 217/785-8060 to register for a lottery drawing. The deadline to register is Fri., Dec. 9. First-time applicants will be given a priority over previous participants in the drawing. The hunt is open to youth ages 10-15 at the time of the hunt. All applicants must have successfully completed a hunter safety education course, possess a valid Illinois hunting or sportsman's license, have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number, and have a 20 gauge or larger shotgun. Youth hunt participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must possess a valid FOID card. To register for the hunt or for more information, call 217/785-8060.

Spring Turkey Applications: Resident hunters may now apply for the first lottery for 2012 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Season permits online. The link to the online permit application can be found on the IDNR website Spring Turkey webpage: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turkey/Pages/SpringTurkeyHunting.aspx The application deadline for the first lottery for 2012 resident spring turkey permits is Dec. 1, 2011. Non-residents may apply for 2012 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey permits beginning Dec. 6. Youth Spring Turkey Special Hunt Area online permit applications will be accepted online from Jan. 17, 2012-Feb. 20, 2012. For more information on 2012 spring turkey hunting: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turkey/Pages/SpringTurkeyHunting.aspx

Target Hunger Now: Hunters are encouraged to donate whole deer to the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program ï¿½ part of the IDNR ï¿½Target Hunger Now!ï¿½ initiative. Participating meat processors turn the donated deer into ground venison for delivery to food banks and charities in Illinois. For more information on ï¿½Target Hunger Now!ï¿½ and the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program, check the IDNR website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Pages/SportsmenAgainstHunger.aspx, phone 217/785-5091, email tracy.shafer@Illinois.gov or write to Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271.

OutdoorIllinois: The cover of the November 2011 issue of the IDNR monthly magazine OutdoorIllinois features a red-headed woodpecker, one of the seven woodpecker species found in Illinois. This edition of OutdoorIllinois features an article about the woodpeckers of Illinois and tips for identifying these common visitors to winter bird feeders. Other stories this month include Pyramid State Park in Perry County, the continued search for Thismia, a plant last seen in 1916, and an alert concerning a deadly pathogen that now threatens Illinoisï¿½ most expensive timber, black walnut. Of interest to sportsmen are articles on tips for turkey hunting and maximizing your potential to put venison in the freezer. For a summary of feature magazine articles, listen in on monthly podcasts at www.dnr.state.il.us/OI. OutdoorIllinois is a great tool for learning about Illinois' natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at only $15 for a one-year, 12-issue magazine subscription that includes an information-packed annual calendar in the December issue. Visit dnr.state.il.us/OI or call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. For information on advertising in OutdoorIllinois, call 217/785-8610 or e-mail michelle.silver@illinois.gov.

One Dozen Holiday Gifts: Need 12 gift ideas for that special outdoorsman or outdoorswoman? How about a one-year gift subscription to OutdoorIllinois magazine? For just $15, friends and family members will receive 12 full-color issues of OutdoorIllinois, packed with state park features, how-to outdoors tips, hunting and fishing tales, IDNR news updates and plenty more. It is easy to subscribe: In Illinois, order toll-free at 1-800-720-3249 or online at dnr.state.il/oi.

Annual Wall Calendar: Looking for the perfect gift to keep sportsmen abreast of hunting, trapping and fishing season dates or keep families informed of programs and events in Illinois state parks? The OutdoorIllinois wall calendar may be just what you need. Included as part of the December magazine, the calendar and December magazine may be purchased for $3, or a full year of the magazine is just $15. To place an order in Illinois, call toll-free at 1-800-720-3249 or online at dnr.state.il/oi.

ESPB Meeting: The Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board will meet on Fri., Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, 30239 South State Route 53, Wilmington, IL, 60481. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, phone 217/785-8687.

Celebrity Quail Hunt: Support youth hunting and fishing programs by attending the Illinois Conservation Foundation Celebrity Quail and Pheasant Hunt at Rend Lake Resort on Nov. 13-15. For more information, phone the ICF at 217/785-2003 or register online at www.ilcf.org/events.

Conservation Achievement Scholarships: The Illinois Conservation Foundation will honor high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to preserve, protect, enhance and/or promote Illinoisï¿½ natural resources with the awarding of three Conservation Achievement Scholarships. One $5,000 scholarship, one $3,000 scholarship and one $2,000 scholarship are available. Applications must be received by Nov. 30. The application form is available online at this link: https://www.ilcf.org/scholarships/default.aspx. For more information, phone 217/785-2003.

Science Series: The Illinois State Museumï¿½s monthly Science Series program for November is ï¿½Building Bridges: IDOT Archaeology and Tribal Consultationï¿½ on Wed., Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at the ISM Research and Collections Center, 1011 East Ash, Springfield. Presented by Brad A. Koldehoff (University of Illinois) and Dr. John Walthall (IDOT Chief Archaeologist), the program will review archaeological excavations conducted in advance of major transportation projects that have yielded new and important information about the peoples of Illinoisï¿½ past. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, phone 217/782-0061 or check the museum website at www.museum.state.il.us/events.

Paperpalooza: Children are invited to learn about paper and art, explore the On and of Paper exhibition, and work with professional artists to create beautiful works of art at Paperpalooza, the November ï¿½Super Saturdaysï¿½ event at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. The free event on Sat., Nov. 12 is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Highlights include papermaking, origami art, printmaking, and a collaborative paper sculpture. For more information, phone 217/782-6044 or check the museum website at www.museum.state.il.us/events. The Illinois State Museum is located in the State Capitol Complex at 502 S. Spring, Springfield.

Schoolyard Habitat Grants: The IDNR Division of Education invites applications for the Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program. The grant program provides funds to establish or enhance wildlife habitat on the school grounds or other public place and is available to teachers, youth group leaders, and nature center personnel. Visit http://dnr.state.il.us/education/CLASSRM/grants.htm to access the application form. The application deadline is Nov. 30.

Follow the IDNR: Keep up to date with events and information on outdoor recreation and natural resources in Illinois through IDNR postings on Facebook and Twitter. Find us at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/about/Pages/SocialNetworking.aspx